Chicago's 'Cinderella Man' earns title shot

Carlos Molina brutalized former world champion Corey Spinks on Friday night before a raucous crowd of over 5,600 at the UIC Pavilion.

Molina took control of their IBF Title Eliminator bout immediately and never relinquished it. In one of the most lopsided unanimous decisions ever recorded, Molina knocked Spinks down once in each of the final two rounds.

Chants for Molina erupted numerous times throughout the 12-round bout, which was featured on ESPN's "Friday Night Fights." The scores reflected the one-sided nature of the fight as the judges had it 120-105, 119-106 and 119-106.

"I want to thank everyone who helped me." Molina said in the moments after his victory. "The fans here in Chicago are the greatest in the world."

After current IBF light middleweight champion Cornelius Bundrage of Detroit defends his title later this month, Molina will become mandatory, No. 1 contender for the belt, whomever his oppoent will be.

Molina is looking at his first title shot as soon as May of this year. The fight likely will take place in Detroit or Chicago.

But before that, Molina is going to take a little break.

"I'm going to relax and enjoy this time with my family," he said.

Bill Hillmann is a RedEye special contributor. Tribune contributed to this report.